Method and system for producing stereographic images of celestial objects

Abstract

A method and system of producing stereographic images of celestial objects uses distance information to offset one of two images produced on a display device. A digital computer under program control is used in combination with a user input device, such as a keyboard, and a display device, such as a computer monitor and/or a printer.

Having described the invention what is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of displaying on a display device, stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects, wherein these objects have celestial coordinates on the celestial sphere, comprising the steps of: 1) selecting at least a portion of the celestial sphere to display;   2) determining the celestial coordinates for each celestial object within this portion of the celestial sphere;   3) mapping the celestial coordinates of each celestial object within the selected portion of the celestial sphere into a planar coordinate system forming a first part of the display device so as to be viewable in this first part of the display device;   4) determining the distance from the earth of each celestial object at least within the selected portion of the celestial sphere; and   5) mapping the celestial coordinates of each celestial object within the selected portion of the celestial sphere into a planar coordinate system forming a second part of the display device so as to be viewable in this second part of the display device, wherein each celestial object displayed is offset in at least one coordinate by an amount inversely proportional to its distance from the earth.   
     
     
       2. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 1, wherein the maximum value of the offset is equal to or less than a predetermined value. 
     
     
       3. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 2, further comprising the step of: 6) determining the celestial object within the selected portion of the celestial sphere that is closest to the earth and offsetting at least one of its coordinates in the second part of the display device by an amount equal to the maximum value of the offset.   
     
     
       4. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 3; wherein the displaying of the remaining celestial objects within the selected portion of the celestial sphere within the second part of the display device is inversely proportional to each object's distance from the earth as normalized by each object's distance ratioed to the distance of the celestial object determined in step 6. 
     
     
       5. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 4, wherein the offset of each celestial object displayed in the second part of the display device is: Object offset=(Maximum value of the offset)×(closest displayed object)/(object's distance).   
     
     
       6. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 5, wherein the display device is the printed output of a printer. 
     
     
       7. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of: 6) generating the display of coordinate information corresponding to at least some of the celestial objects displayed within the first and second parts of the display device.   
     
     
       8. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 7, wherein the coordinate information includes the right ascension of the celestial objects nearest the left and right lower perimeter of the display device. 
     
     
       9. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 8, wherein the coordinate information includes the right ascension of the celestial objects nearest the left and right upper perimeter of the display device if the selected portion of the celestial sphere includes either the north or south celestial pole. 
     
     
       10. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 9, wherein the coordinate information includes the declination of the celestial objects nearest the top and bottom of the display device. 
     
     
       11. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 8, wherein the coordinate information includes the declination of the celestial objects nearest the top and bottom of the display device. 
     
     
       12. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 7, further comprising the step of: 7) generating the display of Messier object information in the selected portion of the celestial sphere if the selected portion of the celestial sphere includes at least one Messier object.   
     
     
       13. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of: 6) generating the display of a simulated meteor shower, with each meteor displayed in both parts of the display device so as to have an offset in at least one coordinate in at least one of the two parts of the display device.   
     
     
       14. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of: 6) generating the display of a pointing arrow in at least one part of the display device.   
     
     
       15. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 14, wherein the arrow may be moved about the display device by user supplied information. 
     
     
       16. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of: 6) selecting the viewing size of the selected portion of the celestial sphere.   
     
     
       17. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 1, wherein the coordinates of the celestial objects are in right ascension and declination, and wherein the step of selecting the portion of the celestial sphere includes selecting the right ascension and declination of the central location of the selected portion of the celestial sphere. 
     
     
       18. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 1, wherein the spacial separation of the points of view giving rise to the offset of the celestial objects displayed in the second part of the display device is also displayed on the display device. 
     
     
       19. A method of displaying stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects on a display device by executing on a digital computer the program set forth in Table 1 using celestial object information as set forth in Table 2, said execution comprising the steps of: 1) reading and mapping the celestial coordinates of each celestial object within at least a selected portion of the celestial sphere into a planar coordinate system forming a first part of the display device so as to be viewable in this first part of the display device;   2) determining the distance from the earth of each celestial object at least within the selected portion of the celestial sphere; and   3) mapping the celestial coordinates of each celestial object within the selected portion of the celestial sphere into a planar coordinate system forming a second part of the display device so as to be viewable in this second part of the display device, wherein each celestial object displayed is offset in at least one coordinate by an amount inversely proportional to its distance from the earth.   
     
     
       20. A method for displaying Stereographic pair images, including those illustrated in FIGS. 5 though 9 and 11 through 13, by executing on a digital computer the program set forth in Table 1 using celestial object information as set forth in Table 2, wherein said executing comprises the steps of: 1) reading and mapping the celestial coordinates of each celestial object within at least a selected portion of the celestial sphere into a planar coordinate system forming a first part of the display device so as to be viewable in this first part of the display device;   2) determining the distance from the earth of each celestial object at least within the selected portion of the celestial sphere; and   3) mapping the celestial coordinates of each celestial object within the selected portion of the celestial sphere into a planar coordinate system forming a second part of the display device so as to be viewable in this second part of the display device, wherein each celestial object displayed is offset in at least one coordinate by an amount inversely proportional to its distance from the earth.   
     
     
       21. A system for the display on a display device, of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects, wherein these objects have celestial coordinates on the celestial sphere, comprising: A) a keyboard for inputting information;   B) a display device for the display of the stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects; and   C) a digital computer connected to the keyboard and the display device, digital computer having means for executing a control program so as to comprise therewith: 1) means for selecting at least a portion of the celestial sphere to display;   2) means for determining the celestial coordinates for each celestial object within this portion of the celestial sphere;   3) means for mapping the celestial coordinates of each celestial object within the selected portion of the celestial sphere into a planar coordinate system forming a first part of the display device so as to be viewable in this first part of the display device;   4) means for determining the distance from the earth of each celestial object at least within the selected portion of the celestial sphere; and   5) means for mapping the celestial coordinates of each celestial object within the selected portion of the celestial sphere into a planar coordinate system forming a second part of the display device so as to be viewable in this second part of the display device, wherein each celestial object displayed is offset in at least one coordinate by an amount inversely proportional to its distance from the earth.     
     
     
       22. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 21, wherein the maximum value of the offset is equal to or less than a predetermined value. 
     
     
       23. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 22, further comprising: D) means for determining the celestial object within the selected portion of the celestial sphere that is closest to the earth and offsetting at least one of its coordinates in the second part of the display device by an amount equal to the maximum value of the offset.   
     
     
       24. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 23, wherein the means for displaying of the remaining celestial objects within the selected portion of the celestial sphere within the second part of the display device is inversely proportional to each object's distance from the earth as normalized by each object's distance ratioed to the distance of the celestial object determined by the means set forth in element F. 
     
     
       25. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 24, wherein the offset of each celestial object displayed in the second part of the display device is: Object offset=(Maximum value of the offset)×(closest displayed object)/(object's distance).   
     
     
       26. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 25, wherein the display device is the printed output of a printer. 
     
     
       27. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 21, further comprising: D) means for generating the display of coordinate information corresponding to at least some of the celestial objects displayed within the first and second parts of the display device.   
     
     
       28. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 27, wherein the coordinate information includes the right ascension of the celestial objects nearest the left and right lower perimeter of the display device. 
     
     
       29. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 28, wherein the coordinate information includes the right ascension of the celestial objects nearest the left and right upper perimeter of the display device if the selected portion of the celestial sphere includes either the north or south celestial pole. 
     
     
       30. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 29, wherein the coordinate information includes the declination of the celestial objects nearest the top and bottom of the display device. 
     
     
       31. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 30, wherein the coordinate information includes the declination of the celestial objects nearest the top and bottom of the display device. 
     
     
       32. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 27, further comprising: E) means for generating the display of Messier object information in the selected portion of the celestial sphere if the selected portion of the celestial sphere includes at least one Messier object.   
     
     
       33. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 21, further comprising: D) means for generating the display of a simulated meteor shower, with each meteor displayed in both parts of the display device so as to have an offset in at least one coordinate in at least one of the two parts of the display device.   
     
     
       34. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 21, further comprising: D) means for generating the display of a pointing arrow in at least one part of the display device.   
     
     
       35. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 34, further comprising means for moving the arrow about the display device by user supplied information. 
     
     
       36. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 21, further comprising: D) means for selecting the viewing size of the selected portion of the celestial sphere.   
     
     
       37. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 21, wherein the coordinates of the celestial are in right ascension and declination, and wherein the means for selecting the portion of the celestial sphere includes means for selecting the right ascension and declination of the central location of the selected portion of the celestial sphere. 
     
     
       38. A system for the display of stereographic three-dimensional images of celestial objects as defined in claim 21, further comprising means for displaying the spacial separation of the points of view giving rise to the offset of the celestial objects displayed in the second part of the display device.